MANILA – Newly appointed Presidential Communications Office (PCO) ad interim secretary Jay Ruiz denied reports alleging that he owns a private media firm that secured over P200 million in government contracts.
In a media briefing at Malacañang Palace on Tuesday morning, Ruiz said the report, which came out at Politiko website, is part of a “demolition job” aimed at undermining his credibility.
“Eight days pa lang ako. I am trying to reform the office. Pang-apat na PCO secretary (na) ako. Eighth day pa lang madami nang sinasaksak sa akin,” the former news reporter said.
“Lumutang pa lang ang pangalan ko (as the new PCO official) kung anu-ano nang paninira ang lumalabas,” Ruiz added. “Yes, obviously there is (a demolition job against me).”
Ruiz explained that he only served as an “authorized representative” for Digital 8 Inc. during the negotiations of the P206-million deal with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for the airing of lotto draws over state-run IBC 13.
He said that the deal was signed prior to his appointment as PCO chief and that he had resigned from the firm in January 2025.
“‘Yung Digital 8, hindi akin ‘yan. I’m not the owner, I’m not a stockholder. Naimbitahan lang ako para mag-represent sa company kasi siyempre kahit papano may pangalan naman tayo and they want some status for their spokesperson. Authorized representative ang tawag,” Ruiz said.
“Wala pa ko sa gobyerno noon… Since hindi akin ‘yan, the accusations walang katotohanan. Ayoko sana patulan kasi fake news eh,” he added.
Ruiz also expressed frustration over how the report had affected his family, particularly his children, and lamented how his side of the story was not taken before the allegations were made public.
He also clarified that the firm he was associated with is a political communication management company and that he is in the process of divesting his interests in it.
Ruiz took his oath before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr as the new chief of the PCO last week. He replaced Cesar Chavez, who resigned after saying that he had “fallen short of what was expected of him.”/PN
